Turkey has heightened its criticism of Israel amid the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite this, Turkey still supports a two-state solution and is currently hosting members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, protests have erupted throughout Turkey.
Recently, the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, an Islamist Turkish aid agency, organized a convoy to travel to the Incirlik air base in Turkey’s Adana province. The purpose of this convoy was to protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza and the United States’ support for Israel.
Incirlik air base, which has played a crucial role in supporting the international coalition fighting against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, also houses American troops. The protest organized by IHH called for the closure of Incirlik.
Videos from the protests depict Turkish police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Protesters, waving Turkish and Palestinian flags and chanting slogans, clashed with the police who were equipped with riot gear. Barricades were toppled during the clashes.
Bulent Yildirim, the President of IHH, addressed the crowds in Adana and urged them to refrain from attacking the police.
This article highlights Turkey’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, its support for the two-state solution, and the protests organized by IHH against Israeli attacks and US support for Israel. It also details the clashes between protesters and the police at the Incirlik air base.
